Tuesday, May 23, 2006

I am an ideologue. There, I said it. Though unlike the stereotypical ideologue, my ideology requires me to show love and charity to those who disagree with my ideology. I care about ideas; ideas matter.

So when I read this piece by The Anchoress, I can't help but be confused at what is essentially a defense of personality politics. In the midst of President Bush's sagging approval numbers, The Anchoress defends Bush by saying that he is basically a good guy and that conservatives have no reason criticize him.

Ya' know, Bush does seem to be a good guy, a guy to hang out and watch a ballgame with and have a beer (though I guess I would be the only one with a beer). But Clinton seems a pretty interesting guy as well. Say what you will about Clinton's peccadilloes, he would probably be a blast to hang out with for a weekend.

But is politics simply a popularity contest like high school class elections? No. Ideas matter.

I chuckle as The Anchoress says to the conservative base, "The president who had delivered one gift after another to his base asked them to trust him." What alternative universe is The Anchoress living in? And which conservative gifts is she referring to?

Ever stop to think maybe the president feels his base has abandoned him, that uncontent with 75%, they’ve simply moved beyond reason? Ever stop to think that while you’re calling the president every despicable name in the book and demanding his fealty or you’ll “teach him a lesson,” that perhaps there is a lesson you need to learn? That a good man, disinterested in merely laughing or crying for the camera for 8 years and looking to do a difficult job in the face of unprecedented hate, unprecedent speed of communication, unprecedented global instability, unprecedented backstabbing from within his own CIA, deserves some loyalty and the benefit of a doubt as he tries to bring you the 75% you so callously spit back at him as insufficient?

Earth to The Anchoress: Conservatives are not interested in loyalty towards a man, as if he is some king deserving of our fealty. Conservatives are loyal towards ideas: freedom, justice, mercy. Ideas last, politicians do not.